Applying for student support (BAföG)

You can receive student support for maintenance and training. It is intended that lump sum amounts will be paid as part of monthly grants. The amount of support depends on the type of accommodation (with parents or living away from home).

When calculating the grants, your own income and assets, as well as your parental income will be taken into account. If you are married, the income of your wife or husband, or your co-habitant will be taken into account.

In exceptional cases, student support will also be granted regardless of parental income. For example:

if a three-year apprenticeship and subsequent employment for three years have been undertaken by the time of commencement of studies or

at least five years of employment have been undertaken following the 18th birthday

Students at academies and colleges of higher vocational education receive BAföG for the duration of the intended period of study; students at universities receive BAföG for the duration of the standard period of study. The period of support also depends on whether you have submitted the required performance record in good time.

In addition, you will receive BAföG for a reasonable time if you have exceeded the maximum time of support. The support will then take place as a subsidy and interest-free loan. This applies as an example

if serious reasons are present

such as work

in committees and organs of universities and the Federal States, as well

as well as in the self-administration organs of students and the Studentenwerk,

and due to failure to pass the final examination

for the first time. The support will continue to be paid as a grant and interest-free loan.

Should you need to exceed the maximum duration of support due to

disability,

pregnancy or

care for and bringing up of a child up to ten years,

you will receive BAföG as a full grant beyond the maximum duration of support.

In case of the presence of certain requirements, you can receive assistance with the completion of studies for a maximum of twelve months following the exceeding of the maximum duration of support. The assistance with the completion of studies is granted as a bank loan on which interest is charged.

Child care supplement

Should at least one child under the age of ten live in your household, you can also receive a child support supplement in addition to the fixed amounts. In case of new approvals, this amounts to 130 euros per child. For ongoing approval periods, you will receive this amount from October 2016.

Amount of support

You can receive student support for maintenance and training. It is intended that lump sum amounts will be paid as part of monthly grants. The amount of support depends on the type of accommodation (with parents or living away from home).

In exceptional cases, student support will also be granted regardless of parental income. For example:

if a three-year apprenticeship and subsequent employment for three years have been undertaken by the time of commencement of studies or

at least five years of employment have been undertaken following the 18th birthday

The maximum support for new approvals is 735 euros as an example.

Type of support

As a student, you will receive half of the support as a

grant and

half of the support as an interest-free loan from the state.

Exceptions are possible.

Duration of support

Students at academies and colleges of higher vocational education receive BAföG for the duration of the intended period of study; students at universities receive BAföG for the duration of the standard period of study.

In addition, you will receive BAföG for a reasonable time if you have exceeded the maximum time of support. The support will then take place as a subsidy and interest-free loan.

Child care supplement

Should at least one child under the age of ten live in your household, you can also receive a child support supplement in addition to the fixed amounts. In case of new approvals, this amounts to 130 euros per child. For ongoing approval periods, you will receive this amount from October 2016.

Intention to remain in Germany, for example residency title due to family, humanitarian or political reasons.

Five years of residency in Germany (prior to commencement of studies) and lawful employment.

Students who are personally entitled to support as marital spouses will not lose their entitlement to student support because of separation or dissolution of marriage if they continue to lawfully reside in Germany. The rule applies to spouses of German citizens, spouses of EU citizens and spouses of foreigners.

Personal suitability Your performance must lead to the expectation that you will achieve your study goal. In order to receive further support from the fifth semester, you must submit the required performance record.

Age

under 30 years at the time of commencement of studies

under 35 years at the time of commencement of a Master's degree

the support of a person aged over 30 years is possible in exceptional cases:

You have achieved the higher education entrance qualification via second chance education,

You have registered at an institution of higher education solely due to the professional qualification,

You were unable to start your studies in time due to the bringing up of a child under ten years of age,

You have become in need of support due to significant changes in your personal circumstances. You were unable to conclude a course of study which can be financed by BAföG in a way which suffices for professional qualification.

The requirements are as follows:

Attendance at the following places of education:

University

Technical university of applied sciences

College of music and arts

Teacher training college

University of co-operative education

Academy

Permanent residency in Germany

Nationality

German

Foreign students subject to certain requirements

Personal suitability Your performance must lead to the expectation that you will achieve your study goal.

Procedure

The application for student support must be submitted to the competent body in writing. Please use the corresponding form and the application assistant, in order to receive the forms which you need.

A formless application suffices in order to meet the deadline.

The students’ unions also offer the option on their homepage of filling the forms in online. The plausibility checks there and information concerning the proof to be attached will help you submit the application as completely as possible.

You should submit the first application once you have the acceptance from the university for the study place requested. In order for support to be granted, you must provide proof of the enrolment certificate later.

You will receive written notification in the form of an approval notice. In case of a positive notice, the competent body will transfer the payments to you monthly in advance to the nominated bank account.

Note: Persons who are not entitled to BAföG will receive notification to this effect. You require this as proof, for example for an application for housing support.

The application for student support must be submitted to the competent body in writing. Please use the corresponding form and the application assistant, in order to receive the forms which you need.

A formless application suffices in order to meet the deadline.

You should submit the first application once you have the acceptance from the university for the study place requested. In order for support to be granted, you must provide proof of the enrolment certificate later.

You will receive written notification in the form of an approval notice. In case of a positive notice, the competent body will transfer the payments to you monthly in advance to the nominated bank account.

Miscellaneous

Legal basis

Release note

The German original version of this text was drafted in close cooperation with the relevant departments. The Wissenschaftsmnisterium released it on 04.08.2016. Only the German text is legally binding. The Federal State does not assume any liability for the translated texts. In cases of doubt or if you have any questions or problems, please contact the relevant authorities directly.